Can-body machine.



PATBNTBD JAN. 2o, 190s,

'0. B. MODONALD.

GAN BODY MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1901.

e SHEETS-SHEET 1.

K0 MODEL.

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dnt' lllllllllllllllllllllll No. 718,860. PATENTED JAN. 2O, 1903.v

o. B. MUDONAL'D. GAN BODY MACHINE.

APLIGATION FILBDJUNB 15, 1901.

N0 MODEL e SHEETS-SHEET a.

@xm /f/QMW. y 6% MM m PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

' Gf B. MUDONALD.

`CAN BDDY MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1901.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

I A CWLWZOT No. 718,860. PIATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

c. B. MoDoNALD. 'GAN BODY MACHINE.

, APPLmATIoz; mmh JUNI: 1s, '1 901. -ro uonm..

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TN: Norms PETERS co., Pnoomuo., wAsHmeToN, n, c,

No. 718,860. PATENTBD JAN. 20, 1903. C B MUDONALD GAN BODY MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1901.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

,No MODEL.

FVI. lllhhmk: l "lags WFD M '717169 ses: @In

@f/@fjf/QMW PATENTED JAN; 20,' 1903.

APPLIUATIO HLEDJUNI: 15,-1901.

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No 110ML.'

Unteren drames are r einen.

CHARLES B. MCDONAIJD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CANBBODY MACHINE.

sPnoir-rcairiotr forming part of :Letters Patent No. 718,860, dated January 20,1903- Application iiled June 15, 1901. Serial No. 64,729. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. MODON- ALD, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Can-Body Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is concerned with certain new and useful improvements in can-making machinery, and is primarily concerned with a complete machine whereby the flat rectangular blanks are automatically transformed into a cylindrical body, with the side seam thereof soldered.

As a part of the complete machine I have devised a novel feed mechanism which is shown as specifically applied to feeding the can-body while it is still in the blank form to a holder which carries it to the soldering mechanism after it has been pressed into a cylinder, but which feed mechanism in a modified form might be employed for feeding purposes at other stages in the operation of forming a can. In this feed mechanism the novelty resides mainly in the employment of a reciprocating feed mechanism movingin the line of a portion of the path of the chain or other movable support carrying the holders and geared up to the moving support, so that as each holder moves past the can or blank receiving point the feed mechanism moving in the same line and at a greater rate of speed overtakes it and inserts the can-body in the specific forni shown while it is still in the form of a blank and retreat-s ready to receive another blank in time to insert it in the next holder as it passes without interfering with the continuous forward movement of the holders. This arrangement, by which the can-body is inserted from the rear of the holder, permits of its ready removal after it has been soldered by simply employing iingers projecting into the path of the can-bodies in a position beyond the place where they are soldered.

My invention is also concerned with other combinations of elements, as will be fully described hereinafter and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring now to the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine, but with some of the central portions broken away and with all but three of the forms removed. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevation in section on the line A A of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a plan view. Fig. 5 is a plan View in section on the line B B of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side elevation with some of the parts broken away and in section. Fig. 7 is a detail in another position of one of` the cams shown in Fig. 6. Fig. S is a detail in section on the line C C of Fig. 6. Figs. 9 and 10 are details, partly in section, showing the relative position of the blank-table and the blankcarrier after the blank is delivered to the form and when it is ready to be delivered, respectively. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of one of the forms with the wings open and one of them in section. Figs. 12 and 13 are end elevations of one of the forms with the wings open and closed, respectively, with a part of one of the closing-arms broken away. Fig. 14 is a central longitudinal section through the form. Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of the form-support and the closing-levers. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the form detached, and Fig. 17 is a detail showing the inner face of one of the unlocking-cams.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 to 4 are on one scale, Figs. 5 to 10 are on another larger scale, and Figs. 11 to 16 are on a still larger scale.

The body of the framework of the machine is composed of five inverted- U-shaped frames 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, each of which is preferably formed with the strengthening-iiange shown, making them substantially T-shaped in cross-section. The forming or holding mechanisms are carried by the chain 26,which is composed of a plurality of links 27 of a structure to be hereinafter more specically described. This chain at one end of the Inachine passes around the chain-wheel 28,which is mounted upon a shaft 29, journaled or secured in bearings formed in the side bars 30, which connect the inverted- U-shaped frames 21 and 22, which preferably have their ends forked, as shown. At the other end of the frame there is a similar wheel 31, which is secured to or journaled upon the shaft 32, which has its ends journaled orsecured in the slots 33, formed in the side bars 34, which connect the inverted- U -shaped frames 24 and 25.

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' operate with correspondiugly-shaped facets 36, .formed on the periphery ofthe wheel, so that as positive and accurate engagement is had between the chain and the wheels as if the customary sprocket-teeth were employed. The chain between the wheels is supported by and travels in the chain-guides 37 and 38, which extend from points near the adjacent peripheries of the two wheels, being supported by the cross-pieces 39 and 40, provided in each of the inverted-U-shaped frames at the proper height. These chain-guides 37 and 38 consist of rigid bars having a channel therein of a depth corresponding to the width and thickness of the chain-links, and are provided with flanges 4l, slightly overhanging these channels, so as to hold the chain securely therein as it is carried forward by the rotation of the wheel 28. To rotate this wheel at a suitable rate of speed, power is applied to the belt-wheel 42, which is secured outside of the framework to a shaft 43, which is journaled in the inverted- U -shaped frame 22. This shaft 43 has secured thereon the gearpinion 44, which meshes with a gear-wheel 45, rigidly secured upon the shaft 29 or to the wheel 28, so that as the shaft 43 is rotated its movement will be transmitted at a slower rate of speed to the wheel 28. As I have shown the relative number of teeth on the pinion 44 and the gear-wheel 45 as one to six and as there are twelve facets 36 upon the wheel 28 it will be apparent that at each revolution of the shaft 43 the chain 26 will be advanced a space represented by the length of two of the links, and that if a forming mechanism is placed on every other link and a blank is supplied at each rotation of the shaft 43 the proper relation of the parts is secured.

The links 27, as best seen in Fig. 5, are of a generally rectangular shape and of the proper size to coperate with the facets 36 of the wheels 28 and 3l. Each link is provided with a rectangular aperture 46, and in this aperture at regular intervals, such as every alternate link, is secured a correspondinglyshaped lug 47, projecting downward from the bottom side of the base 48 of the forms or holders. In the specific construction shown this base consists of a horizontal web, which is secured to the link bymeans of the setscrews 49, which take into screw-threaded apertures 50, formed in the sides of the link, as shown in Fig. 5. Projecting up from the center of the horizontal web is the ve tical web 5l, which has at its left-hand end the transverse plate 52, rigidly secured thereto, as by the cap-screws shown in Fig. 11. The general shape of this plate 52is shown in the lower portions of Figs. 2 and 3, and it Will be seen to consist of a substantially circular portion having the stem by which it is secured to the web'5l and provided with the oppositely-disposed notches 53 in its sides for a purpose to be described, and the elongated recess 54, which extends substantially through the vertical width of the circular portion of the web. Projecting forwardly from and preferably formed integrally therewith is the substantially cylindrical form 55, which, as will be seen'from Figs. l1 and l2, is cylindrical in outline, though slightly smaller in diameter than the circle of the plate 52, so that a shoulder 56 is formed between the form 55 and the plate 52. The notches 53 in the plate 52 extend into the form, making the grooves 57 therein, which are a continuation of the notches 53. Corresponding with the notch 54 in the plate 52 is the slot 58, which extends entirely through the shell constituting the body of the form. Formed between the upper edge of the web 5l and the bottom of the form 55 is the narrow recess 59, extending back tothe plate 52 and of a width to just receive a single sheet of tin. This part constitutes the holder proper, and it will be seen that it might be used without the forming mechanism for receiving can-bodies previously formed. To facilitate the entrance of the sheet of tin into this slot 59, the lower front edge of the form 55 and the top front edge of the web 5l are cut away, as shown at 60 and 6l, respectively, to form the flaring entrance to the groove or recess 59. To securely hold the sheet of tin in the recess after it has been forced therein by the mechanism to be described, I provide the spring-pressed plungers 62, which are mounted in the vertical recesses 63, formed in the body of the vertical'web 5l. These plungers 62 have their upper ends beveled off slightly, as shown, and are yieldingly pressed upward by the springs 64. When the recess is empty and a can or blank, as 65, is forced into the recess, its edge contacting with the beveled tops of the plungers 62 will force them downward to permit of its being shoved into position, where it will be held by the upward pressure of the plungers. Suitably pivoted to the sides of the web 5l, as by means of the rods 66, passing through the bearing-lugs 67, are the wings 68 of the form.

rlhese wings, as will be seen from Figs. 5 and l1 to 13, consist of the semicylindrical shells 69, whose interior diameter is just enough greater than the exterior diameter of the form 55 to permit a sheet of tin to be interposed between them and the form. Thesev shells have their rear ends closed by substantially semicircular webs 70. Upon these webs 70 are lugs or projections 7l, which preferably take the form of antifriction-rollers, suitably journaled thereon and coperating with grooves 72, formed in the closing-arms 73,

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`manner to the lug 74, formed on the front of the web 5l a short distance beneath the bearings for the rods 66. It will be apparent that as the closing-arms 73 are swung upward from the substantially horizontal position they occupy in Fig. 12 the wings 68 will be swung up and about the form 55, so as to bend the blank 65 into the circular shape of the canbody with its ends slightly overlapping. To operate these closing-wings 73, I provide the closing-levers 75, which, as shown in Fig. l5, are pivotally mounted upon the bearing-rod 76, secured in the bearings 77, projecting laterallyfrom the vertical web 51, near its rear end. These closing-levers are preferably connected at their front ends by a cross-piece 78 and have journaled thereon next to the cross-piece the antifriction-rollers 79, which coperate with the corresponding bearing portions of the closing-arms 73. As the closing-levers are swung from the lowermost position (shown in Fig. ll) to the upward position (shown in Fig. 13) these antifrictionrollers 79, cooperating with the closing-arms 73, serve to swing them and the connected wings from the open to the closed position against the resistance of the coiled springs 8l, which surround the rods 66 and are so connected thereto and to the wings 68 as to tend to normally hold the wings in their open posit-ion. The operating-surfaces 80, however, are so shaped that when the closing-lever reaches a certain height the antifriction-rollers coperate therewith to lock the closingarms from any accidental return movement.

Extending from the upper side of the top of the inverted-U-shaped frame 2l to the under side of the top piece of the inverted- U-shaped frame 22 is a connecting-piece 82, which has formed integrally therewith and constituting an extension thereof the soldering-bar 83, which extends from the inverted- U -shaped frame 22 to a short distance beyond the inverted-U-shaped frame 24, where it is terminated, it, however, being unattached to any of the frames beneath which it passes, excepttheframe22. Thisbar83isrectangularin cross-section and fitsintothe notch 54, formed in the plate 52. The portion 8% ofthe connecting-piece 82, corresponding in location to the bar 83 and virtually constituting an extensionl thereof on the right-hand side of the frame 22, has its sides beveled off, so as to form a sharp edge at 85. When the wheels 28 and 3l are rotated and the chain 26 advances in the direction of the arrows, it will be apparent that the forms, of which there is one on every other link, as they reach their highest position on the wheel 28 will be advanced with their recesses 54 embracing the part 84, and as the chain is advanced the forms will be moved along, embracing the It may be here stated that as the forms reach their highest position on the wheel 28 a blank or sheet of tin is fed into the form by mechanism to be subsequently described, and as the form advances beyond the frame 22 the antifriction-rollers 86, which are journaled upon the sides of the closing-levers 75, ride up on the cams 87, which are secured upon the upper side of the chain-guide 37, thus moving the closing-levers upward, which movement in turn is communicated by the closing-arms 73 to the wings 68, so that the blank is folded over the form 55, its ends overlapping on the top of the soldering-bar 83. One or more soldering-irons 88 are suitably supported upon the bracket 89, extending between the tops of theinverted-U -shaped frames 22 and 23, and.y serve to solder the seams as the cans are fed slowly beneath them in the customary manner. As the cans pass from beneath the sold ering-irons between the frames 23 and 24 the solder becomes cooled and set, which process may be hastened by blowing apparatus, if desired. As there is a form on every other link and as the soldering-bar 83 fills up the notches 54 on theforms, the soldering-bar 83 is virtually supported throughout its entire length by these forms, so that although it is only rigidly supported at one end no material strain is placed upon it by its own weight. The cans after being soldered pass around the wheel 3l, and when the forms reach the cams 90, secured upon the chain-guide 38 at any convenient point on the underside thereof, the antifriction-rollers 86, riding over the cams 90, are cammed upwardly, so as to release the closing-arms 73 and to permit the springs 8l to open the wings. After the wings are opened the advancing edges of the can-body come in contact with the stripping-tingers 91, which are secured to supports 92, projecting inwardly from the inverted U -shapcd frame 23, in proper position to extend into the notches 53 and the grooves 57 when the forms pass them, thereby stripping the completed can-bodies from the forms, leaving them ready to receive a fresh blank.

To deliver a can body in the form of the blank 65 into the recess 59 of the holder or form after the form has reached its uppermost position over the wheel 28 and while it is advancing slowly forward in a horizontal line, I employ the feeding mechanism specifically shown as a blank-carrier, which, as best seen in Figs. l, 2, 5, 9, and lO, consists of the horizontal plate 93, which is provided at its ends with the enlarged preferably rectangular bearing-surfaces 94:, which are adapted-to reciprocate in the correspondingly-shaped ways 95, formed in the bars 96, which extend from the frame 2l to the frame 22, by which they are supported and to which they are secured on the inner sides of said frames. The plate 93 has projecting downwardly from the under side thereof near its ends the lugs 97, to which the upper ends of the links 98 are piv- IOO IIO

- from the forward edge of the plate 93.

oted in any suitable manner. The other ends of the links 98 are pivotally secured to the upper ends of the levers 99, which are secured to a rock-shaft 100, which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings 101, formed in the side bars 102, connecting the inverted'- U- shaped frames 21 and 22 neartheirlower ends. Secured upon the shaft 43, adjacent to one side of the frame 22, in which the shaft is journaled, is a cam 103, which is of the shape best shown in Fig. G and which coperates with the antifriction-roller 104:, secured upon the upper end of the link 105, which has its lower end pivotally secured to the lever 99, as best shown in Fig. 6, and which has formed in its upper end the elongated rectangular slot 106, through which the shaft 4:3 passes and upon which it is guided by the rectangular bearing-block 107, journaled thereon, and of-a shape to cooperate with the slot 106. Supposing the parts are in the dotted-line position of Fig. 6, with the shaft 43 rotating in the direction of the arrow, it will be apparent that at a certain point in the rotation of the shaft the surface 108 of the cam will serve to throw the feeding mechanism or blank-carrier forward Very rapidly, so as to not only overtake the slowly-moving form, but to force the can body while still in the form of a blank into the slot 59. After the highest point of the cam is passed the carriage is returned more slowly, being forced back by the can1-surface cooperating with an antifrictionroller 109, projecting inwardly from the inner side of the link 105 at the other end of the slot from the antifriction-roller 104B. As will be best seen in Fig. 5, the plate 93 is cut away at its central forward portion, forming a recess 109 therein, which permits the form to pass upward without contacting with the plate while'it is returning to its rearmost position. The blank is carried by the forward ends of the arms 110, which are rigidly secured in the lugs 111, projecting upwardly The position of the blank 65 thereon is controlled by the sliding collars 112, against which the rear edge of the blank rests, the collars be ing held in their forward position by the helically-coiled expanding springs 113, surrounding the rods 110 between the sliding collars 112 and the adjustable collars 114, secured to the rods 110 in any position necessary to secure the desired tension of the springs 113. The object of my employing the sliding springpressed collars 112 is to permit of their yielding rearwardly when the forward edge of the blank G5 strikes the end of the recess 59 and its forwardmovement relative to said recess is stopped.

To deliver the blanks one by one upon the blank-carrier at the proper time, I em ploy the blank-table 115, which is substantially L- shaped in cross-section, with the longer arm horizontal. The rib 116, constituting the shorter arm, extends entirely across the machine, and the horizontal plate, rigidly secured thereto and constituting the longer arm of the L., is separated by the notches 117 (out therein to accommodate the rods 110 in one position of the table) into a central portion 118 and the end portions 119. The gages 120,

which are secured on the end pieces 119 and the rib 116, serve to indicate the proper position ofthe blanks upon the table, Where they are placed one by one when the table is in its upper position. The table is sup ported by the rods 121, which are rigidly secured to and project downwardly from the under side of the ends 119 of the table outside of the bars 96, being mounted in the vertical tubular bearings 122, secured to or formed integrally with said bars. The rod 121 on the rear side of the machine is pivotally connected by a pin and elongated-slot connection 123 with the upper and outer end of an arm 124, whose other end is secured to a rockshaft 125, journaled in bearings 126, formed in the frame 2l. An elongated arm 127 is secured to the rock-shaft 125 and extends forwardly, as shown, and the antifriction-roller 128, constituting the working end thereof, rests upon the cam 129,secured upon the shaft 43 on the other end from cam 103. The rod 121 on the front side of the machine is pivotall'y connected to a projection on the arm 127 in the same manner as'the other rod 121 is to.y

the arm 124 and at the same distance from the rock-shaft 125. As will be seen from Figs. G and 7, the cam 129 is so shaped that as the shaft 43 rotates the blank-table 115 is raised slowly from its lower to its upper position, during which time a blank is placed upon it in the proper position by the attendant. Just at the time the blank carrier reaches its rearmost position the abrupt surface 130 upon the cam permits the table to descend rapidly, the relative position of the parts when the descent is completed being shown in Fig. 10, where it will be seen that the blank is deposited upon the outer ends of the rods in advance of the sliding collars 112, so that as the blank-carrier begins its forward movement the blank will be carried off of the table and before it can rise and carry the blank back with it.

The complete operation of the machine will now be apparent. As each form or holder is brought into its highest position over the wheel 2S the feeding mechanism or blankcarrier is advanced by the mechanism described to carry the can body while still in the form of a blank which has been deposited upon it by hand or by the downward movement of the blank-table into the slot 59 in the form. The form traveling continuously forward at length comes to the cams 87, by which the wings 68 are folded over the frame andthe blank is bent into the cylindrical shape, with its ends overlapping on the top of the soldering-bar S3. The form then immediately passes beneath the solderingirons 88, by which the seam thus formed is soldered. After the forms pass off of the sol- IOO IIO

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dering-bar t3 they pass around the wheel 3l and eventuallyr reach the cams 90, by which the wings are returned to their normal position, and the can-body is stripped off of the form by the fingers 9i, so that when the form or holder reaches its initial position it is ready to receive another blank. As there is a form on every alternate link and as the can is formed on one of the forms at each rotation of the shaft 43, it will be seen that the output of the machine is very great, while the results are accurately effected bythe simple mechanism.

Vhile I have shown my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of modifications and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the prior art.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of t-he United States, is-- l. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, having their longitudinal axes parallel with 'the line of movement ofthe support, and a blank-carrier moving along the line of movement of the support and at a greater rate of speed for automatically and positively inserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, having their longitudinal axes parallel with the line of movement of the support, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automaticallyinsertinga blank in each forming mechanism as it reachesa certain point, and means for reciprocating said blank-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support.

3. In a device Aof the class described.1 the combination with the continuously-moving support, oi' a power-shaft for moving the support, and forming mechanisms carried by the support, having their longitudinal axes parallel with the line of movement of the support, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automatically inserting a blank in each formingmechanism as it reaches a certain point, and means for reciprocating said blank-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support comprising a cam on the power-shaft, and a lever and connection cooperating with the cam and with the carrier.

4E. In a device of the class described, the combination Wit-h the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, and a blank-carrier having yielding abutments cooperating with the blank for inserting a blank in each mechanism as it reaches a certain point.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, and a blank-carrier for automaticallyinserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point consisting of the body portion having rods projecting therefrom with the spring-pressed collars on said rods.

0. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a blank-carrier consisting of' the body portion having rods projecting therefrom with the spring-pressed collars thereon, and means for reciprocating said blank-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support toinsert a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automatically inserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point, and means for reciprocating said blank-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support, and a blank-table for laying a blank on said carrier just prior to each forward movement thereof.

S. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automatically inserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point, and means for reciprocating said blank-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support, a blank-table for laying a blank on said carrier just prior to each forward movement thereof and reciprocating in ways at substantially a right angle to the line of movement of the carrier.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of a power-shaft for moving the support, forming mechanisms carried by the support, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automatically inserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point, a blank-table for laying a blank on said carrier just prior to each forward movement thereof and reciprocating in ways at substantially a right angle to the line of movement of the carrier, and means for reciprocating said blank-table comprising a cam on the power-` shaft and a bell-crank levercoperatingwith said cam and with the table.

lO. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support,of the power-shaft for moving the sup-y port,forming mechanisms carried by said support, a reciprocating blank-carrier for automatically inserting a blank in each forming mechanism as it reaches a certain point, and means for reciprocating said blan k-carrier in synchronism with the movement of the support comprising a cam on the power-shaft and a lever and connections cooperating with the cam and with the blank-carrier, a blank- IOO I go

table for laying a blank on said carrier just prior to each forward movement thereof reciprocating in Ways at substantially a right angle with the line of movement of the carrier, and means for reciprocating the blanktable comprising a cam on the power-shaft and a bell-crank lever cooperating with said cam and with the table.

l1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a continuously-moving support, of a plurality of forming-mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereof and wings adapted to be swung around said form, and a soldering-bar parallel to the line of movement of the forming mechanism and adapted to be embraced in the slots of the central-forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination withacontinuously-movingsupport, of a plurality of forming mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereofand wings adapted tobe-swnngaround said form, and a soldering-bar parallel tothe line of movement of the forming mechanisms and adapted to be embraced in the slots of the central forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar, said soldering-bar corresponding in cross-section to the shape of the slot.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination Withacontinuously-movingsupport, of a plurality of forming mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereof, and Wings adapted to be swung around said form, a soldering-bar parallel to the line of movement ot' the forming mechanisms and adapted to be embraced in the slots of the central forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar, a cam mechanism so located as to close the Wings after the central form has embraced the soldering-bar and to open the Wings after the bar is passed.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination withacontinuously-moving support, of a plurality of forming mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereof and Wings adapted to be swung around said form, a soldering-bar parallel to the line of movement of the forming mechanism and adapted to be embraced in the slot of the central forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar, and cam mechanisms so located as to close said wings after the form has embraced the soldering-bar and to open the Wings after the har is passed, and stripping-lingers to strip the cans from the form.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with a continuously-moving support, of a plurality of forming mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereof, and wings adapted to be swung around said form, a soldering-bar parallel' to the line of movement of the forming mechanisms and adapted to be embraced in the slots of' the central forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar, a cam mechanism so located as to close the Wings after the form has embraced the soldering-bar, and to open the Wings after the bar is passed, and a soldering mechanism located above 'the por-A tion so as to operate on the can after it is formed.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a contin uously-moving support, of a plurality of forming mechanisms carried thereby, each consisting of a central form having a longitudinal slot in the top thereof, and wings adapted to be swungl around said form, a soldering-bar parallel to the line of movement of the forming mechanisms and adapted to be embraced in the slots of the central forms as the forming mechanisms move past said bar, a cam mechanism so located as to close the Wings after the form has embraced the soldering-bar and to open the Wings after the bar is passed, and a soldering mechanism located above the bar so as to operate on the can after it is formed, and stripping-fingers to strip lthe cans from the form after the Wings are opened.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a pair of ways in line with a portion of the movement of the support, a blank-carrier adapted to reciprocate in said Ways, the power-shaft 43 driving the support, the cam on said power-shaft, the link 105 having one end cooperating with the cam, the lever 99 to which the other end of the link 105 is secured, and the link 98 connecting the carrier and the lever 99.

1S. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a pair of Ways in line with a portion f the movementof the support, ablank-carrier adapted to reciprocate in said ways, another pair of Ways at right angles to the firstmentioned pair of Ways, a blank-table reciprocating in the second pair of ways and operating mechanisms for said carrier and said table, whereby the carrier is retracted and the table is lowered to place a blank upon the carrier which then advances, after which the table recedes.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, of the forming mechanisms carried thereby, a power-shaft for moving said support, a pair of Ways in line with a portion of the movement of the support, a blank-carrier adapted to reciprocate in said ways, the cam 103 on said shaft, the link 105 having one end cooperating With said cam, the lever 99 to which the other end of the link 105 is secured, the link 98 connecting the carrier and the le- ICQ IIO

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ver 99, a blank-table reciprocating at right anglesto the line of movement of the blankcarrier, and means for reciprocating said table comprising the cam 129 on said shaft and the bell-crank lever 127 coperating with the cam 129 and with the table, substantiallyv as and for the purpose described.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with the contiuuouslymoving support, of a plurality ofA holders, carried thereby, a reciprocating feeding mechanism located and operating in the line of movement 0f the support and moving more rapidly than the support when moving in the same direction, driving connections for said support and feeding mechanism, soldering mechanism located in position to solder the side seam of the can as it is carried past said mechanism by the support, and stripping mechanism to strip the soldered can from the holder after it is soldered.

2l. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving chain, of a plurality of holders, carried thereby, a reciprocating feeding mechanism locatedand operating in the line of movement of a portion of the chain and moving more rapidly than the chain when moving in the same direction, driving connections for said chain and feeding mechanism, soldering mechanism located in position to solder the side seam of the can as it is carried past said mechanism by the chain, and a stripping-fitr ger located in the line of movement of said chain in position to strip the soldered can from The holder.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination With the form having the hori- Zontal recess 59 formed in a support directly beneath said form, of the spring-pressed plunger 62 mounted in the support and having its beveled end projecting into said recess, the wings 68 pivoted to the support beneath the recess 59, and means for closing said wings comprising the closing-arms cooperating with lugs on said Wings, and the closing-levers cooperating with said closing-arms.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination with the two chain-Wheels, of the continuously-moving chain mounted thereon, a plurality of holders carried by said chain, a reciprocating feed-support adjacent one of the wheels and moving in the line of movement of the chain and more rapidly than the chain When moving in the same direction, a shaft geared to the driven chain-wheel, a cam ou said shaft, a swinging arm connected with the feed-support and operated by said cam as each holder passes, soldering mechanism located in position to solder the side seam of the cau as it is carried past by said chain, and stripping mechanism to strip the soldered can from the holders.

24. In a device of the class described, the combination with a form, of a pair of Wings pivoted adjacent thereto and adapted to be folded about said form, projections on said Wings, closing-arms pivoted beneath the Wingpivots having slots therein embracing said projections, the closing -levers pivoted at right angles to said arms and cooperating therewith to close the arms as they are moved in one direction, and the cam mechanism for moving the closing-levers.

25. In a device of the class described, the combination with the continuously-moving support, ofa plurality of holders carried thereby, each holder having elastic jaws therefor, a reciprocating feeding mechanism located and operating in the line of movement of the support and moving more rapidly than the support when moving in the same direction, driving connections for said support and feeding mechanism, soldering mechanism located in position to solder the side seam of the can as it is carried past said mechanism-by the support, and stripping mechanism to strip the soldered can from the holder.

26. In a device of the class described, the combination with a form, of a pair of Wings pivoted adjacent thereto, and adapted to be folded about said form, projections on said Wi ngs, closing-arms pivoted beneath the Wingpivots and having slots therein embracing said projections, the closi 11g-levers pivoted at right angles to said arms and coperating therewith to close the arms as they are moved in one direction, the cam mechanism for moving the closing-levers and arms in the opposite direction, and springs for opening the Wings when the closing-levers and arms are retracted.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with the form, of a pair of Wings adapted to be folded thereon, folding-arms pivoted beneath the wings and engaging them, and the closing-levers cooperating with the folding-arms to close the Wings and serving to lock said arms and thereby the Wings 4in their folded position.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination With the form, of a pair of Wings adapted to be folded thereon, folding-arms pivoted beneath the Wings and operatively engaging therewith and having a locking-surface thereon, and the closing-levers swinging at right angles to the movement of the closing-arms and engaging said locking-surfaces when the arms are closed to lock said wings in their folded position.

29. In a device of the class described, the combination with the form, of a pair of Wings adapted to be folded thereon and having projections from one end, folding-arms pivoted beneath the Wings and having slots engaging the projections on said Wings and a lockingsurface thereon, and the closing-levers swinging at right angles to the movement of the closing-arms and engaging said locking-surface when the arms are closed to lock said Wings in their folded position.

30. In a device of the class described, the combination With the form, of a pair of Wings adapted to be folded thereon, a pair of rods IIO upon Which said Wings are pivoted, means for folding said Wings, locking mechanism for folding said Wings in their folded position, means for releasing said locking mechanism, and helically-coiled springs surrounding said rods and opposing the folding of said Wings and serving to open them when the locking mechanism is released.

3l. In a device of the class described, the combination With the form, of a pair of Wings adapted to be folded thereon, a pair of rods upon which said Wings are pivoted, projections on the ends of said Wings, folding-arms pivoted beneath said Wings having slots therein coperating With the projections on the Wings and having locking-surfaces thereon, closing-levers swinging at right angles to the line of movement ofthe closing-arms and cooperating with said locking-surfaces to hold the Wings in their closed position, means for swinging said closing-levers in both directions, and the helically-coiled springs surrounding said rods and opposing the folding of said Wings and serving to open them When the locking mechanism is released.

32. In a device of the class described, the combination with the stationary soldering-bar and the coperating soldering-iron, of a form having the channel 54c in its top adapted to receive said bar, and means for moving said form along said bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

33. In a device of the class described, the support adapted to be secured to a chain-link and consisting of the vertical web 5l, transverse plate 52, form 55 secured to said plate and separated from the web by the recess 59, the recesses 63 in the vertical Web, and springpressed plungers 62 having the beveled upper ends contacting with the form 55.

34:. In a device of the class described, the support adapted to be secured to a chain-link and consisting of the vertical web 51, the transverse plate 52, the form 55 secured to said plate and separated from the web by the recess 59 and having the channel 53 in its side and the channel 54 in its top, all of said channels extendingthrough thetransverse plate 52.

35. In a device of the class described, the support adapted to be secured to a chain-link and consisting of the vertical web 5l, the transverse plate 52, the form 55 secured to said plate and separated from the Web by the recess 59 and having channels 53 in its sides and the channel 54 in its top, the recesses 63 in the vertical web and the spring-pressed plunger 62 having beveled upper ends contacting with the form 55.

36. In a device of the class described, the combination with the endless carrier, a form thereon having the body thereof arranged longitudinally of the line of movement of the carrier and support-ed at its advancing end, wings pivoted alongside the body of said form and adapted to be folded thereon, means for moving said carrier, and mechanism coperating With said Wings to fold and unfold them; of a blank-feeding device moving longitudinally of the endless carrier and adapted to feed a blank between said body and Wings; and fingers adapted to strip the can from the form after it is soldered; substantially as described.

37. In a device of the class describedhthe combination With the endless carrier, a plurality of forms thereon each having the body thereof arranged longitudinally of the line of movement of the carrier and supported at its advancing end and provided with a longitudinal recess, a soldering-bar along which said forms are adapted to move and Which coperates With the longitudinal recesses in the form, Wings pivoted alongside the body of said form and adapted to be folded thereon, soldering apparatus coperating with said bar, and mechanism coperating with said wings to fold and unfold them; of a blankfeeding device moving longitudinally of the carrier and adapted to feed a blank between said body andwings; and lingers adapted to strip the can from the form after it is completed; substantially as described.

' CHARLES B. MCDONALD.

Vitnesses:

J. I-I. McELRoY,

LAWRENCE LARsEN. 

